Makhachev "turned down" a title fight in the weight class of Rakhmonov.

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev from Russia has shared his thoughts on the potential matchup against Belal Muhammad, the American-Palestinian titleholder in the welterweight division, as reported by Vesti.kz.

https://vesti.kz/ufc/mahachev-otkazalsya-ot-titulnogo-boya-v-vese-rahmonova-356915/2025-01-08 08:13:45

The UFC lightweight champion from Russia commented on the possibility of a fight with the promotion's welterweight titleholder, American-Palestinian Belal Muhammad, as reported by .

Islam Makhachev Vesti.kz

"To be honest, Belal ruined my plans (for a title fight at 77 kilograms). We have become close friends. Moreover, we share a manager," Makhachev is quoted as saying .

"Championship"

Makhachev will return to the octagon on January 19, when he competes against Armenian-Russian fighter Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 in Los Angeles.

It is worth noting that in the welterweight division . On December 8 at UFC 310, he was supposed to fight Muhammad, but his opponent withdrew from the match due to health issues. He was replaced by Irishman Ian Garry, whom Rakhmonov defeated by unanimous decision after five rounds, elevating him to second place in the UFC welterweight rankings. The next fight for the Kazakh fighter is expected to be against Muhammad.

Shavkat Rakhmonov